Melbourne Cup champ’s Chief aim
A WEEK after his barnstorming Melbourne Cup triumph, brilliant Victorian youngster Yachi Bale will again take centre stage in Saturday night’s heats of the Group 1 Sportsbet Silver Chief (525m) at The Meadows.
After celebrating a life-changing Melbourne Cup victory, Balliang trainer Mark Delbridge will have six runners in the eight must-win Silver Chief qualifiers, Victorian greyhound racing’s version of the thoroughbred code’s Derby.
Dropping back to his own age, Yachi Bale is TAB’s $3.30 second elect from box 7 in the fourth heat – race 7 at 8.37pm.
Surprisingly, Yachi Bale (pictured) is a $14 chance in all-in betting for the final on December 10, with Amron Boy (heat 5, box 8) $4.60 favourite.
“I would’ve preferred Yachi Bale to draw closer to the rails,” Delbridge conceded.
“But in saying that, he did win his Melbourne Cup heat from box 7.
“His best time at The Meadows is 30 ‘dead’, but that was early in his career and I’d expect him to go a lot quicker now.”
Delbridge’s other Silver Chief contenders are Elite Alex (heat 1), Valor Bale (heat 3), Elite Jet (heat 5), Landyn Bale (heat 6), and Zoha Bale (heat 7).
“The only two that are drawn all right are Yachi Bale’s brothers, Valor Bale and Zoha Bale, which have both drawn box 3,” he said. “I still reckon Zoha Bale is stronger than Yachi Bale. He beat Yachi Bale at his last start but pulled up sore, so he’s a little bit underdone.”
Meanwhile, the countdown to the Group 1 Sale Cup series steps up a notch on Sunday night, with two heats of the Sale Distance Championship over the 650m Cup course.
Avalon trainer Michelle Mallia looms as a key player in both runoffs, courtesy of Fernando’s Quest (heat 1, box 3) and Aston Velvet (heat 2, box 8).
While Aston Velvet won the recent G1 Hume Cup Final (600m) at The Meadows, her nightmare recent run of draws has continued. “Aston Velvet’s drawn a shocking box, as usual,” Mallia said. “She just keeps drawing absolutely terrible, but don’t underestimate her. The issue is whether she can get across.
“Fernando’s Quest is up against Jarick Bale (2021 Sale Cup winner) but he’s well-suited in box 3 and has already run really fast time at Sale in his only start there.”
The Sale Cup heats will be held on Sunday, December 18, where Aston Velvet and Fernando’s Quest are likely to be joined by kennelmate Golden Quest, $2.20 favourite in race 2 at The Meadows on Saturday night.
“Golden Quest is out in box 8 too, but she’s the best dog in the race.”